Ask Marie O’Riordan: My friend moved to France and is very demanding

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Q: I’m finding it very hard to sustain a long-distance friendship with a close friend who has moved to France. She does not have a busy diary and expects that I can “pop out” for the weekend at a few weeks’ notice. I need about two months’ notice, both calendar-wise and financially. Similarly, she becomes cross if we don’t speak often enough. We keep clashing, however much I explain that it’s just not possible. Is our friendship doomed?

A: Certainly long-distance relationships are difficult beasts to maintain and their success depends on both parties’ mutual understanding and co-operation. You seem